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Freeville Organic Research Farm About the Farm |
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Department of |
 Freeville Organic Farm Twilight Field Day - Monday, August 18, 4 to 7 p.m., Freeville, N.Y. More information and directions. Topics on this page: Basics Goals Organic farming research Outcomes & impacts Site description Certification Resources
Please see our information for researchers page if you would like to conduct trials at the farm. We invite anyone who has suggestions or feedback to contact us. Goals: Conduct interdisciplinary research aimed at optimizing organic vegetable production systems for the Northeast.
Organic farming research: Organic farming is one of the fastest growing markets within the U.S. agriculture. Because of this, organic production offers small- and mid-size farms an option that can improve economic viability and environmental sustainability. It is also the only sector with increasing numbers of farmers. Organic agriculture developed outside the mainstream of land grant institutions and few land grants have programs specifically aimed at this industry. Organic farming applies a holistic, systems approach to optimize biological processes important for maintaining soil and crop health and plant productivity. For example, organic farming systems are designed to prevent pest problems by managing biodiversity through a variety of cultural practices. As a result, the appropriate research strategies are unlike those of conventional systems already in place. Research aimed at improving these production systems must use a multidisciplinary approach in order to study the interactions that make these systems work. If you'd like to conduct organic farming research at our site, please see our information for researchers page.
Outcomes & impacts The major product of this project will be a research facility that will enable faculty and graduate students to conduct research on organic projection systems within an innovative framework conducive to multidisciplinary and stakeholder-engaged research. We will also have established a specific research project within the site that will address organic production needs while also serving as a model for applied agroecological research. Other outcomes include:
Site description The Freeville Organic Research Farm is located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. It consists of two large fields that have been conventionally managed for the production of grains and forages for the past 40 to 50 years, until the end of 2001. Two main soil types dominate the site. Howard gravelly loam occupies roughly 18 acres adjacent to the creek and riparian zone that runs along the southeastern border of the land. This soil is well-drained and is highly desirable for vegetable production despite having a fairly high proportion of cobbles and stones. A soil transition zone runs diagonally through the site, and an old railroad bed also parallels the soil transition zone, which coincides with the beginning of a sloping topography. This 12-acre portion of the land has slopes of 2% to 5% and is predominantly a Rhinebeck silty clay loam. This soil is somewhat poorly drained in places and may need to have some tile drainage installed.
Organic Certification In 2007, we enter our seventh year of organic management. Cornell purchased the farm in 2001, and we then transitioned the land to organic management. Since 2006 we have been certified organic by NOFA NY. The land not in active research is planted to timothy- alfalfa hay, which is converted to research plots slowly as demand increases. For more site history, seed our timeline.
Resources Several important resources to support research and management of the farm. A buried aluminum pipe irrigation system with 11 hydrants for moveable irrigation lines serves approximately 10 acres of the farm. There are also farm buildings that house a variety of implements for use on the organic farm, to name a few:
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